What Is Property? · Chapter
§ 5: That Labor Leads to Equality of Property explained
Proudhon argues that labor creates value and that the laborer retains a natural right of property in the product, even after receiving wages.
What happens
Proudhon argues that labor creates value and that the laborer retains a natural right of property in the product, even after receiving wages. He critiques the capitalist system where the collective force of workers is exploited by proprietors, leading to inequality. He concludes that labor necessarily leads to equality of property, as every worker should own the value they create.
Themes in this chapter
Labor and Exploitation
Proudhon argues that laborers are exploited because they create value but are only paid wages, while the proprietor unjustly claims ownership of the product.
Equality and Justice
The chapter asserts that labor leads to equality, as every worker has a natural right to the value they create, challenging existing property hierarchies.
Possession vs. Property
Proudhon distinguishes between the laborer's right to possession of the value they create and the proprietor's unjust claim to exclusive property.
Characters to notice
- Pierre Joseph Proudhon
Author and primary voice; argues that labor gives a natural right of property to the laborer.
- M. Ch. Comte
Quoted as an authority who inadvertently supports Proudhon's argument by stating that laborers increase value but are only paid wages.
- Say
Mentioned among economists who contradict themselves by basing property on labor yet also on occupation and prescription.
- Destutt de Tracy
Referenced indirectly as part of the group of economists who fail to follow the logical conclusions of labor-based property.
Key passages
“The laborer retains, even after he has received his wages, a natural right of property in the thing which he has produced.”
Even after being paid, the worker still has a rightful claim to the product they made.
Proudhon's core argument that wages do not extinguish the worker's property right.
“Labor leads us to equality. Every step that we take brings us nearer to it; and if laborers had equal strength, diligence, and industry, clearly their fortunes would be equal also.”
Work naturally moves society toward equality; if all workers were equally capable, their wealth would be the same.
Proudhon's conclusion that labor inherently promotes equal distribution of property.
“Why do the very persons, who laid down this principle, now refuse to be guided by it?”
Why do those who established the principle that labor creates property now reject its logical consequences?
Proudhon criticizes economists like Say and Comte for inconsistency.